Giannis, Harden, George finalists for NBA Most Valuable Player
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Houston Rockets guard James Harden, and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George were named finalists for this year's NBA Most Valuable Player award Friday.
The three finalists for #KiaMVP... @Giannis_An34, @Yg_Trece, and @JHarden13!
— NBA (@NBA) May 18, 2019
The 2019 #NBAAwards air 6/24, 9:00pm/et on TNT! pic.twitter.com/hcezyuwaU9
The winner will be revealed on June 24.
Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee to a league-best 60-22 record and a third straight postseason berth. The Greek Freak ranked third in the Association in scoring (27.7 points), sixth in rebounds (12.5), 11th in field-goal percentage (57.8 percent), and 10th in rejections (1.53).
Harden took home MVP honors in 2017 and was a runner-up for the hardware in 2016. He averaged 36.1 points across 78 appearances this year for the 53-29 Rockets, joining Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, and Elgin Baylor as the only players to average 36 or more points in a single campaign.
George was named an All-Star for the sixth time in his career and finished the season averaging a career-high 28 points and 2.2 steals. The Thunder also scored 13.1 more points per 100 possessions with him on the floor.
Antetokounmpo and George are finalists for NBA Defensive Player of the Year, as well.
For a full look at the nominees for all of the major year-end awards, click here.